PeerBlock

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Editors' Review

PeerBlock is an advanced IP blocking utility. In plain words, it lets you control how your PC interacts with other computers over the Internet, letting you block servers and sites known to be troublesome or even dangerous. It lets you choose what to block, and you can also import or create your own lists. PeerBlock is open source freeware maintained by the PeerBlock project.

When you first run PeerBlock, a wizard helps you set up its options, though you can change them later. These include what you want to block; by default, PeerBlock blocks anti-P2P organizations, ads, spyware, and educational institutions and universities. There's also a checkbox labeled Always Allow HTTP. This option always enables connections over ports 80 and 443 of your PC, even if they're on your blocklist. These two ports are usually for Web browsing, but other programs access them, too. If you're starting to feel your head spin, don't worry! Each step includes a paragraph-long Recommendation explaining your options. If you need more help, the online User Guide and other documentation have it. But we quickly set up PeerBlock's update scheduler and other options and clicked Finish. PeerBlock immediately downloaded an updated list of known threats and troublemakers, displaying the data in the program's simple interface. While PeerBlock's face is one only a developer could love, we appreciate its logical layout and efficient control suite. PeerBlock's interface has two tabs, Protection and Settings, with the Settings tab stretching over two pages. Right-clicking PeerBlock's system tray icon opens its main console; left-clicking it opens a context menu with instant access to Enable and Disable controls, allow HTTP options, basic but useful controls like always on top, and support. If we changed our blocked list, PeerBlock automatically updated its settings and downloaded the latest correct definitions.

Of course, most of the time you won't be aware that PeerBlock is doing its thing, but if you need convincing, just activate it and browse to some perfectly ordinary sites, like major media sites. Then simply check PeerBlock's log view to watch servers trying to slip ads under your eyes. Highly recommended.

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Publisher's Description

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From PeerBlock:
PeerBlock lets you control who your computer "talks to" on the Internet. By selecting appropriate lists of "known bad" computers, you can block communication with advertising or spyware oriented servers, computers monitoring your p2p activities, computers which have been "hacked", even entire countries. They can't get in to your computer, and your computer won't try to send them anything either.

It appears to do it's job. blocking unwanted trackers. it's pretty spooky, I found some anti p2p organizations lurking on me which is really uncool but luckily it blocked them. to all the people [i saw at least one person saying comcast still "nailed" them, I'm pretty sure that has little to do with trackers and more to do with the fact it's really hard to eliminate the fact that the internet company unless you're using a vpn is going to know what you're looking at. if you're that concerned switch providers.

Cons

adware. it installed like 3 programs that weren't viruses i'm pretty sure, just stupid adware which i DID NOT agree to and it took me a little bit to remove them.

Summary

all in all i mean it's a good thing to have if you torrent things, or just like being private.

Blocks the stinking government spies, "over the top" anti-pirating/ anti-p2p spies, advertising spamming computers and a whole lot more. There are multiple 'lists' that you can add to the standard lists that come with the program. Peerblock updates the 'lists' every day or when you choose. If you are unable to access a site, Peerblock will flash in the taskbar and you can manually choose to allow http for the time values given or add the site as an exception, or simply elect to allow http, in which case, the icon will turn from blue to yellow to inform you that the program is effectively not running and blocking known bad addresses. Works perfectly when used appropriately, such as for torrenting.

Cons

None that I can think of as far as it's job goes. Maybe it could have a dirty great big sign on it saying, "NOT A FULL ON FIREWALL,USE FOR ENHANCED SECURITY ONLY", just for all those complete and utter idiots and losers out there who have no clue as to what the software they are downloading is actually used for. Then, instead of giving perfectly good programs such as peerblock a really bad rap for doing what it's supposed to do, they can just shut their cake holes and spend some time learning what programs such as Peerblock actually do.

Summary

If you are into torrents, don't hesitate to use this awesome tool. It's not the be all and end all of privacy programs, if you want to surf or torrent annonomously the use a proxy server, but at least it's another level of protection that can help keep those spying fools away from our front door.

This worthless program bundles with spyware, including programs named Coupon Companion and IB Updater. However, the biggest offender is "Incredibar." It adds a worthless toolbar to IE and Firefox and refuses to uninstall. I googled Incredibar to learn that it's spyware that hijacks your browsers to its advertising. I had chosen "custom install" to make sure to get Peer Block and Peer Block, but instead got this junk forced down my throat. I tried a Windows 7 rollback to a restore point, but that failed to get rid of this crap. Doesn't C-Net check the software here anymore?

Summary

Don't even remotely consider installing this spyware/junkware/crapware. If you do, you'll be sorry.

Morons like this bloke should, in all honesty, turn off your computer and do yourself and the world a favour, and leave it turned off until you have at least some inkling about 1. Computers, 2. Software and 3. The difference between Peerblock and a regular firewall. Learn how to scan a file for viruses and PUP's and learn to recognise the difference between a good and bad file of what appears to be the same program, and refrain from giving perfectly good software a bad rap purely and simply because you have no idea what you are doing when it comes to computers. I have used Peerblock for many years and never once have I encounted any of the alleged junk that has been forced down your throat. By the way, you are supposed to install software on the computer, not force it down your throat. Did you in fact, have a hired hitman or someone theatening you with physical harm when you were having "this junk" forced down your throat? I think not. Check what you download fool.

Hey, thanks, man. I'm just looking for a good way to find torrents.... found out (the HARD way) not the best way 2 search.... virus on my 1st try, AFTER scan w/anti virus, checking out ,ect.... so thanks!!! :)

Blocks DHT and UDP addresses, which are necessary for downloading. See BitTorrent "Help" section. I was caught twice using PeerBlock. The program itself has not been upgraded in almost 3 years because the owner has been "lazy," his words, not mine.

Works great, and has already blocked several IPs.Blocked "oversee.net", which I had no idea was lurking on my PC from a past installation I had tried from CNET.The program is also blocking over 1,000,000 IP addresses so far.

Cons

I have read these reviews and replies, and I hate to see so called "intelligent" people treat other people as if they are idiots just because they don't know that much about this program.

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Thank You, !

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